Part 4
"I don't understand," said Much huffily, staring at the retreating backs of Robin and Marian.
"They want to be alone," said Will, with a shrug.
"Yes but surely…I mean…it is not right….I should go with Robin."
"Much," said Alan as patiently as he could muster. "They are in love and people in love sometimes want to be alone."
"Yes, yes I understand that but I…."
"Much," said Alan again. "What time do they have alone? We have spent the last few weeks huddled up in the cave only going out when necessary, come on you have to come with us."
"Alright," he said one last time before Marian and Robin disappeared into the forest.
"Come on, we will have fun" Djaq told him.
"We will?" he asked not quite believing it.
"Much you knew that when things changed between Marian and Robin things would change all round," Alan added fast losing his patience.
"But not I and….I should be by my Masters side."
"And you are when he needs you. But right now he doesn't need you," Alan added. "Come on, we have work to do."
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Robin and Marian walked in companionable silence their hands entwined despite the bitterly cold air, they moved briskly and soon began to feel the benefit of walking at a pace, their cheeks reddened from the air, a healthy glow. They reached their destination entered the stables, they didn't have to wait long before the swish of skirts caught their attention and suddenly the shy but smiling face of Naomi appeared. She looked well and was clothed properly with a cloak about her shoulders and boots on her feet. Her hair was clean and tidy and she smelt sweet.
"You came," she whispered.
"Just like we promised," Robin told her. "Can you talk?"
"For a bit, I said I wanted to see the horses."
"Are Eli and Anya treating you well?" asked Marian carefully.
"We are not hungry or cold and we have a nursemaid called Sarah, she is kind."
"You can trust her?" asked Robin.
"I do not think I could tell her about you but if we are sad she will comfort us."
"That is good," said Marian letting out the breath she had been holding.
"And we are to be schooled, to read to write Simon and I," she added.
"That's very good," said Robin, shrugging at Marian and wondering at Eli's motives.
"Sir Guy of Gisborne said we should be lit…..lite"
"Literate," supplied Marian as Naomi smiled and nodded her head.
There came the sound of a woman's voice calling Naomi's name she spontaneously hugged them both briefly then said. "That is Sarah. I have to go. Goodbye," she paused, waved and then was gone.
Marian and Robin were both pleased that things seemed to be working out for them but still did not trust Eli or Anya at all.